It's going to take a couple posts to catch up on what I've been doing for the past month...
First thing's first- graduation:
The weekend before I actually walked, I went home specifically for dinner with these amazing people-
They are the best friends a girl could ask for. I've known them since junior high, and they've all been there for me through high school and college. It's been a long, winding road but we've stuck to each other. I can't wait to see what awesome things we all do in the future!
The actual ceremony:
The whole family was able to make it in for the event!
Jake flew in Wednesday night, and the others drove over from Houston on Thursday. We had a great dinner at Mike Anderson's and ate (and drank) way too much. After dinner, Clare talked me into decorating my cap...
everyone loved it! We had breakfast before the ceremony at IHOP (where else?) with some of my close friends. Such a blessing to get to see everyone one last time.
After the ceremony, we went back and packed up my entire apartment into 2 CR-Vs and a trailer... I'm still kind of surprised that everything fit. We headed to New Orleans for the night and had a great time there as well. Jake & Grandma flew back to Chicago Saturday, and I said goodbye to Baton Rouge as the rest of us drove home. Such a bittersweet moment! We were home all week and had my graduation party the following Saturday. It was nice to see some family and friends before I leave the state for several months! Clare decorated cupcakes with graduation caps and a cake with the eye of the tiger... pretty sweet!
Sunday, after cleaning up from the party, Clare, Mom & I got in the car and started our drive to Chicago. One of Mom's best friend's sons, Spc. Sam Watts, US Army, died from wounds sustained in an explosion in Afghanistan back in April. He was such a brave soldier, and spent his life the way he always wanted to- serving others. He went to work over there so we could all do our working and playing and living over here the way we please. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends"
John 15:13
The ceremony was, as Mom said, "beautifully awful". The circumstances of course couldn't have been worse- Sam was only 20 years old. But the Army did everything they possibly could to make the ceremony as beautiful as possible. It was amazing to see how many people- servicemen and women, family, friends, and strangers- came to pay their respects to Sue & Tom and the family. The Patriot Guard stood outside the entire time with their flags and it made me cry just looking at them. The procession from the funeral home was amazing. 40 or 50 motorcycles led the casket, followed by the limo with the family and then Sam's brother Andy driving Sam's car. As we turned the corner from the church, all the kids in the elementary school were lining the street with their hands over their hearts. As we continued, we passed 2 more schools with kids outside, as well as random people stopping on their lawn or getting out of their cars. I cried the entire way.
The day was emotionally rough on everyone. Following the wake, the funeral, and the next two days, we hung out with the Watts and friends as much as possible. These are families I grew up with, and hadn't spent much time with in the past 14 years. It was so great to be with them at this time. We even went bowling, which was a lot more fun than I thought it would be... even though most of us weren't that great :)
The week came and went very quickly. On Saturday, we dropped Clare at the airport to head out to Aunt Meg's in North Carolina to spend the summer watching our cousins Liam & Eddie. Mom & I started our drive home, which was long but not too bad... lots of time to talk about anything, everything, and nothing.
When we finally got home, we had 3 1/2 days before we started another super long drive to Orlando... which is going to have to be another post for another day, because it's time for work :)
I promise I will update again SOON!
I hope everyone is having a marvelous summer, and staying out of the heat!
Peace & Prayers,
Nemo
